How to Set Up an ARK: Survival Evolved Dedicated Server

How to Set Up an ARK: Survival Evolved Dedicated Server (Linux Guide)

Hosting your own ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server gives you full control, better performance, and a 24/7 persistent world for you and your players. This step-by-step guide shows you how to set up your ARK server on a Linux machine using SteamCMD.

⚙️ System Requirements

OS: Ubuntu 18.04+, Debian 10+, CentOS 8+, or similar
CPU: Dual-core or better
RAM: Minimum 8 GB
Storage: At least 20 GB SSD
Access: Root or sudo privileges

✈️ Step 1: Update Your Server

Keep your server packages up to date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y   # For Ubuntu/Debian
sudo yum update -y                      # For CentOS/RHEL

👥 Step 2: Create a Separate User

Create a new user to run the ARK server more securely:

sudo adduser arkserver
sudo passwd arkserver

Switch to that user:

su - arkserver

🔐 Step 3: Install Required Libraries

On Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install lib32gcc-s1 screen wget curl nano -y

On CentOS/RHEL:

sudo yum install glibc.i686 libstdc++.i686 ncurses-libs.i686 screen wget curl nano -y

💾 Step 4: Install SteamCMD

mkdir ~/steamcmd
cd ~/steamcmd
curl -o steamcmd.tar.gz https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz
tar -xvzf steamcmd.tar.gz

📥 Step 5: Install the ARK Server

Run SteamCMD and install the ARK dedicated server using app ID 376030:

./steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +force_install_dir ./ark +app_update 376030 validate +quit

🛠 Step 6: Create a Startup Script

Create a file called arkserver.sh:

nano ~/steamcmd/ark/arkserver.sh

Paste the following content:

#!/bin/bash
SessionName="MyARKServer"
port="7777"
queryport="27015"
rconport="32330"
ServerAdminPassword="YourAdminPassword"
maxplayers="50"

screen -dmS ark ShooterGame/Binaries/Linux/ShooterGameServer TheIsland?listen?SessionName=$SessionName?MaxPlayers=$maxplayers?QueryPort=$queryport?RCONPort=$rconport?Port=$port?ServerAdminPassword=$ServerAdminPassword -server -log

Then make it executable:

chmod +x ~/steamcmd/ark/arkserver.sh

🚀 Step 7: Start the Server

Run the script:

sh ~/steamcmd/ark/arkserver.sh

To stop the server:

screen -S ark -X quit

🎮 Step 8: Connect to Your Server

To join your server:

Open Steam > View > Servers
Add your server IP and port to your Favorites
Open ARK > Join ARK > look under Favorites tab

✅ Conclusion

Your ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server is now live and ready! Enjoy customizing your game world, inviting friends, or even launching a public server. With full control and better performance, your ARK experience just leveled up.